I leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m sorry, Decker.”
“Don’t be,” he said. “I have a feeling Z saw that I was being abused, although he never said so directly. One day he just asked me if I wanted to live with them. I’ve been here ever since.” He let out a heavy sigh. “It wasn’t just that Z saved me from my fucked-up existence, he’s the one who encouraged me to get my degree—paid for it too. And then he hooked me up with Burns Butler, and the rest is history.”
“You look up to him.”
“Z or Burns? The truth is, I look up to both of them. In a lot of ways, they were both mentors. Still are.”
“I haven’t had anyone like that in my life. You’re lucky, Decker.”
He leaned over and kissed my cheek. “Now, I am.” He took my hand in his. “There’s something we need to talk about. Several things, actually.”
“Okay, um, before we do that, is there somewhere I can do laundry?”
“Of course. Come with me.”
Decker led me down the hallway to where the washer and dryer were, and then out into the kitchen.
“What did you want to talk to me about?”
He pulled out a stool at the kitchen counter, and I sat. “Adler is in the area. While I don’t know exactly where the house is that you lived in before your parents divorced, I have a feeling that might be where he’s headed.”
I put my head in my hands. What was going on, and what did that old house have to do with it? “I don’t understand. Why?”
“Best guess is he’s trying to find whatever the people who trashed your sister’s house were looking for. Take that a step further. Whatever it is, must have something to do with your sister’s murder.”
It was logical that someone looking for something would trash my grandfather’s place because that’s where we lived since we were kids and where Sybil continued to live after he died, but why the house we lived in before that? None of this made sense to me. “What else, Decker?”
He pulled out the stool beside me and sat down. I knew whatever he had to tell me was bad, based on the look on his face.
“I took a look at your sister’s medical records. Her blood type is B-negative. It’s very rare, and she needed a transfusion before her surgery. I have a suspicion that may have been what ended your parents’ marriage. It’s possible Sybil wasn’t your father’s child.”
I leaned against the back of the stool. “Are you suggesting my mother had an affair?” Was Decker really suggesting that the only person in my immediate family that I’d believed to be sane, wasn’t?
“It’s one possibility in terms of why their marriage ended.”
“Do you want me to ask my father? Is that what this is about?”
“No. I’ve asked Grinder to see if he can find his blood type as well as your mother’s. It could prove my theory wrong. However, if my suspicions are correct, there may come a time that I or someone else questions your father.”
“Is there more?” If so, I might as well hear it all now instead of Decker piecemealing it.
“Two things happened right around the time of your sister’s surgery. First is your parents’ divorce. The second thing is Judd Knight took over full ownership of Knighthawk. Your father and Adler’s father knew each other in college. They were roommates who went on to start the business together.”
I studied Decker’s face. “That’s who you think my mother had an affair with.”
“Again, these are theories, Mila. I know you were very young at the time, but do you remember anything that would either support or deny what I’m suggesting?”
“Before you came into the room earlier, I was thinking about my mother and how she was only four years older than I am right now when her marriage ended. To the best of my knowledge, she never dated again. Doesn’t that seem odd?”
Decker nodded.
“She was also very strict about Sybil and me dating. Honestly, we were both late bloomers. Speaking for myself, I was so obsessed with my music that I didn’t have much time for dating. If I wasn’t practicing, at a lesson, or giving a lesson to make extra money, I was doing homework. Sybil, on the other hand, argued with our mother endlessly about her being able to date. The rule was not until we were sixteen.”
I startled when there was another knock at the door. Decker stood to answer it, and Rile came in.
“Hello, my friends,” he said, addressing both Decker and me.
I smiled when Decker rolled his eyes.
“What can we do for you, Rile?”
“Edge sent a message that he’s followed Adler Livingston to what looks like an abandoned dwelling. I’ve told him to wait for backup to arrive before making any other move.”
“Agreed. Is Grinder on his way?”f
“Affirmative. Also, a quick search of the property indicates that it was put into a trust nine years ago. The sole beneficiary of that trust is you, Mila.”
“What did you say?” Our old house had been put in a trust for me? By whom? It sure as hell wouldn’t have been my father.
“The property will not officially become yours until you turn thirty, and while it appears it has been abandoned for some time, property taxes and insurance are current.”
“Who owned the house before it was put in the trust?” Decker asked.
“Judson Knight.”
Wait a minute. “Not Judson and Nancy Knight?”
“Your mother’s name was never on the title.”
Whether my mother had an affair or not, the fact that my father had never put her on the title of a house they’d lived in from the start of their marriage, only reinforced how my father operated. I wished my mother, or even my grandfather, was still around so I could ask what in the everliving hell went on back then.
But they weren’t. The only person in my family still alive was my father, and I hadn’t considered him part of it in a very long time.
“The time has come for us to question Mr. Knight,” said Rile, looking between Decker and me.
“Let’s wait and see what Adler’s next move is first. So far, no one outside of our group knows there’s an active investigation. The news outlets haven’t picked anything up about the murder, which could mean that whoever is involved, thinks they have time to cover their tracks.”
My head snapped up. “Do you think my father killed Sybil?”
“That isn’t what my gut is telling me, no,” answered Decker.
“Who, then?”
“Given Adler was with you at the time of her death, I’d say either his father or someone he contracted to kill her.”
I groaned, put my head in my hands, and pulled my hair. “Why would someone kill Sybil? I just don’t understand. Considering how little I knew about my own life, I doubt she knew more.”
Rile sat on the stool next to me, which Decker didn’t look happy about.
“My understanding is that after your grandfather’s death, you paid his medical debts.”
“That’s right.”
“Did it surprise you that he didn’t have enough money to do so himself?”
“A little, but I didn’t know anything about his finances. My sister made it very clear that it was none of my business since I’d, and these were her words, ‘abandoned them for my fancy life in Boston.’”
“You’re aware that the house you quitclaimed to your sister was mortgaged to the amount of its worth?”
“That I quitclaimed? What does that mean? My grandfather’s house?”
“The form you signed that gave your sister full ownership is called a quitclaim deed,” explained Decker.
What the fuck? “I didn’t sign any form.”
Rile stood and walked over to a bag he’d left on the table near the front door. He pulled out several pieces of paper, rifled through them, and handed one to me.
“That isn’t my signature,” I said, looking over the form I’d never seen before. “It isn’t even close.” I was seething. Sybil forged my signature? I’d gone through all my savings to pay my gr
andfather’s bills, and while that was happening, she was mortgaging his house. That bitch. That selfish, damn bitch.
Decker took the paper. “It was notarized.”
“That may be, but that isn’t my signature. Isn’t it obvious that Sybil got someone to notarize it for her so she could do whatever she damn well pleased?” I stood and snatched the paper from his hand.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I’ve had it. I know this sounds callous, but I don’t care who killed my sister. In the last few days, I’ve found out that I have no friends, my family has done nothing but lie to me, and the only real thing in my life is my music, and that was taken away from me too. I’m done.”
“What does that mean?” asked Decker, not even trying to hide the hurt in his eyes.
“It means I want to go back to Boston, apply for jobs so I can keep my apartment, and forget about everything in Texas, just like I did nine years ago.” I stormed off, hating that I’d just hurt Decker’s feelings, but I’d known him less than a week. Besides, I’d all but offered him my virginity on a silver platter, and he hadn’t been interested in actually fucking me.
I tossed the clothes I’d planned to wash back in the suitcase, went into the bathroom to gather my toiletries, and shoved them in as well. I closed the bag and wheeled it out of the bedroom.
When I got back out to the kitchen, Decker was there, but I didn’t see Rile.
“Is this really what you want to do?” he asked.
“There was a reason I left all those years ago. I don’t belong here. I never have.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry, Decker. You’ve done so much for me, and I appreciate it, but it’s time for me to go home. You and your friends know far more about my life than I ever have, so you don’t need me to help you figure out who killed my sister.”
I hung my head when tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks. Decker put his arms around me and pulled me against him.
I started to laugh even though nothing I was about to say was funny. “You know what’s crazy? I can’t even afford the plane ticket home. And as far as making arrangements for Sybil’s funeral and burial, I can’t pay for those either. I have one more paycheck coming, and that will have to cover the rent on an apartment I won’t be able to afford after this month unless I can get a job. That’s what I need to do. I need to go home and find a job, but I can’t, can I?”
“If you truly want to go back to Boston, I’ll take care of the cost of the plane ticket.”
“Thanks for the offer, Decker, but I won’t let you do that. I let Adler pay for too many things for too long. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around what the hell was really going on with him. No. There’s only one person who can help me right now, and it’s damn time he started. I’m going to pay my father a visit, only this time, I’m not asking for a meeting, I’m just showing up. And it won’t be after hours either. He’s ashamed of me? Doesn’t want anyone to know he has a kid? Tough shit. He’s got billions; he can give me a couple thousand to tide me over.” Maybe I should ask for more, enough to get out of town, pack up my apartment, and disappear for a while. I’d always wanted to go to Greece.
“It isn’t a good idea to confront your father right now.”
“Why…is he going to kill me?”
“Don’t do this, Mila,” Decker implored. “If you won’t stay, let me take care of your expenses for a while.”
28
Decker
Once I’d caught my breath after Mila’s announcement that she was going “home” and wanted to forget about everything in Texas—including me, evidently—I tried to unscramble the thoughts racing through my head.
It hadn’t occurred to me that she’d up and leave so quickly, particularly since I’d hoped to talk her into never going back.
Setting that aside, my first priority had to be Mila’s safety. If she returned to Boston now, the only way I could protect her would be to go with her.
It wouldn’t be completely out of the question. I could still work this investigation from there, especially since Rile, Edge, and Grinder were here.
“I’ll go with you.”
“What? No! Now you sound just like Adler.”
Jesus, this woman was giving me some mighty swift kicks to the gut. I walked over and boxed her in between the kitchen counter and me. “First of all, I am nothing like Adler.”
She looked down at the floor rather than at me. “I know you’re not.”
“Second, you may want to walk away from what’s happened in the last week of your life, rewind the clock, but that doesn’t mean you can. Whether you want to face the reality of your situation or not, you’re in danger. Someone killed your sister. Whoever that person is, was looking for something, and until they find it, they’re going to keep looking.”
“I don’t have what they’re looking for.”
“Are you sure? And, do you think it’ll matter? Maybe Sybil didn’t have it either.”
My phone vibrated in my pocket. As much as I didn’t want to turn my attention away from Mila, there were too many irons in the fire for me to continue ignoring calls. I pulled it out and saw a text from Edge.
Headed toward Austin.
Jesus. What was Adler up to now?
“Call Adler,” I said, setting my phone down on the counter.
“Why?”
“Because enough time has passed without any word from him.”
“What should I say?”
“Ask him where he is.” I doubted Adler would answer Mila’s call, but it was worth a shot. “If he says he’s still in Texas, tell him you want to meet.” It was a long shot, but if the man was headed to confront Judd—or worse—maybe we could waylay him.
Mila’s eyes opened wide.
“You won’t be alone.”
She nodded and pulled her phone out of her bag. I stood close so I could hear the conversation if Adler answered.
“Mila? Where are you?” Adler said before I even heard the phone ring on the other end. I nodded when Mila looked at me.
“I’m at King-Alexander Ranch. Where are you? I didn’t hear anything from you.”
“I’m back in Boston, Mila. I went to Bluebell Creek. You never answered my calls or texts, so what choice did I have?”
Shit, I swore silently. So much for waylaying him.
“I didn’t get any messages from you, Adler.”
“Right. You’ve been pushing me away for years, and yet you practically fell into a stranger’s arms. Maybe you should ask him about my messages. My guess is he deleted them before you saw them.”
I quickly wrote something on a piece of paper and pointed to it. When Mila raised her eyebrows, I nodded.
“What about Sybil, Adler?”
“I’m sorry your sister is gone, Mila, but I don’t know what you want me to do. I came to Bluebell Creek to meet you, help you make arrangements for her funeral, and the people in the cemetery office said they hadn’t seen or heard from you.”
“Adler, please. Did you really think I wouldn’t find out about the two of you?”
Mila bit her lower lip as we waited for Adler to come up with a response.
We heard him sigh. “I really wanted to spare you this, Mila, and I’m sorry to tell you this over the phone, but your sister came to me when I was in town for your grandfather’s funeral. She said she was in trouble and knew she couldn’t come to you for help.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“Gambling debts. Again, I wanted to spare you, so I agreed to help her. I’ve been trying to get her into a Gamblers’ Anonymous program, but all she did was continue to ring up more debt. I finally had to cut her off.” He sighed again. “I want you to know that I spoke with the sheriff about this. I suggested that one lead into her murder might be the people she owed money to.”
I wrote another note.
“Murder, Adler? What makes you think Sybil was murdered? There was an accident…”
“Mila!” he
gasped. “I was certain the sheriff told you.”
I made a motion for her to wrap it up.
“Um, Adler, I…uh…need to go. I’ll…uh…call you back. I need to call the sheriff.”
“Don’t do that, Mila. Let me call him first to see if they have any leads.”
Her forehead scrunched. “I can ask that same question, Adler.”
“Sweetheart, let me handle this for you.”
I wanted to reach through the phone and strangle the sonuvabitch. Let him handle this? He’s probably the one who arranged for Sybil’s murder. I made another motion, this time simulating a throat cutting.
“I have to go, Adler. Thank you for the information.” I watched as Mila pressed the button to end the call and then double-checked to make sure the call had disconnected.
“Do you think there’s any truth to what he said?”
“We know he’s not in Boston. I’d say that if he began with a lie, it’s likely he continued that way.”
“Can you call the sheriff?”
I was already taking my phone out to do so.
“Did you have a meeting with Adler Livingston?” I asked when Mac answered.
“A meeting?”
“A conversation?”
“A conversation?” the sheriff repeated.
“Come on, Mac. I don’t have time for this bullshit.”
“I had one conversation with Adler Livingston, at the office while you were with Mila Knight.”
“He didn’t contact you suggesting that Sybil Knight may have been killed by people she owed money to?”
“Decker, what’s this about?”
“Answer the question, Mac.”
“No.”
“Did you, at any time, tell Adler Livingston that Sybil Knight was murdered?”
“Give me a damn break, Deck.”
“Just making sure, Mac.”
“Anything else?”
“Not for now.”
“Have you and your crew figured out who killed her yet?”
“I don’t have a crew, Mac, but you do. What leads do you have?”
Mac laughed and ended the call.
“The sheriff isn’t investigating my sister’s murder?”
Decked (The Invincibles Book 1) Page 13